Petition to cut speed on A228 East Peckham Bypass after deaths of Connors family
A petition has been launched to improve safety on one of the county's major routes after three members of the same family died in a horrific crash. Tonbridge and Malling council leader Cllr Matt Boughton has been out in East Peckham,[1] urging villagers to sign a petition calling on Kent Highways to take action to improve safety on the A228 East Peckham Bypass.
Cllr Boughton (Con) said: "Four lives have been lost on the A228 in just six months. Each one a tragedy.
Each one is a family changed forever. "This is not just a statistic -- it is a stark reminder that more must be done to make this road safe. "Residents have been raising concerns for years.
"Now, after repeated incidents, the need for action is undeniable." The latest accident, on April 1, accounted for three of those four fatalities when a family travelling in a pony and trap collided with a DAF Tipper truck.
Francie Connors and his three-year-old daughter, Ka, died at the scene of the accident, which happened on the A228 Boyle Way, East Peckham, shortly before 6.30pm. His wife, Rita Connors, died eight days later[2] from her injuries.
The driver of the truck was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit.
He has been released on bail pending further inquiries. Cllr Boughton's online survey asks whether East Peckham villagers would support an average speed camera on the by-pass, or whether they have any other ideas.
He also asks whether they have difficulty exiting East Peckham onto the bypass because of the speed of the traffic, and whether they can hear traffic noise from their homes. Cllr Boughton said: "Tonbridge Conservatives are calling for urgent safety measures, including speed enforcement, to help prevent further loss of life.
"If you agree that enough is enough, please take a moment to support the petition.[3]" Cllr Boughton also posted on Facebook about the petition, where the idea received a mixed response. There's only one way to stop speeding, cameras with immediate fines
Gillian Jones said: "Not interested in political point scoring. We need to focus on road safety in the centre of the village." Richard Taylor said: "You are absolutely clutching at straws with this survey.
"As to leaving the village, well, if you can't use a roundabout, you shouldn't be driving.
"The survey's first question is about vehicle noise, but noise does not equal road traffic collisions. It only equals anti-social behaviour." Boris Tang posted: "I hope you are not saying reduce the speed limit!"
But Jeanie Brown agreed with Cllr Boughton. She said: "There's only one way to stop speeding drivers, and that's cameras with immediate fines." Cllr Boughton explained: "There are several problems that all converge on the bypass.
"Unfortunately, it is often used by bikers who like to race up the road and for car meets.
"Quite apart from the safety issue, that also causes disturbance for villagers from the noise. "I have lived in East Peckham for four years now, and I can hear the noise myself in my home. "A speed camera might help solve both aspects.
"My colleague Sarah Hudson, who is also a Kent County Councillor, has raised the issue several times at County Hall, but their response has always been along the lines of 'there's not a problem.'"
"We're hoping that the results of the survey will prove to KCC that there is." The speed limit on the bypass is 70mph. A Kent County Council spokesman said: "We are aware of the concerns that have been raised about safety along the A228 and our Highway Improvements Team is actively working with parish councils, county members, residents and Kent Police to consider what appropriate measures may be needed.
"At this stage, it would not be appropriate to comment on the recent incident or try to determine what, if any, engineering methods may be suitable until after KCC has received the verified details from Kent Police and has a better understanding as to what causation factors may have led to the accident.
"We understand that there are also concerns about vehicle speeds on Boyle Way.
We will continue to review the data and investigate if any further measures are needed."
References
- ^ East Peckham, (www.kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ died eight days later (kentonline.co.uk)
- ^ to support the petition. (www.tonbridgeconservatives.org.uk)